Google Deskbar enables you to search with Google from any application without lifting your fingers from the keyboard. * Search using Google, even when your browser isn't running * Preview search results in a small inset window that closes automatically * Access Google from any application by typing Ctrl+Alt+G * Use keyboard shortcuts for multiple Google searches, i.e., Google News (Ctrl+N),Google Images (Ctrl+I), or Froogle (Ctrl+F)

The Deskbar pops a little search box onto your taskbar, but it's a little more exciting for that. Search results pop up in a small, hideable window (can be set to manual or auto-hide), making the toolbar perfect for looking up stock quotes, word definitions and the like. I've been playing with it for about 30 minutes, and I love it. Still, I'm not sure if I'm willing to give up my taskbar real estate to the application, especially since I a) always have a browser Window up anyway, and b) don't mind a few extra keystrokes. That said, this is the first public iteration, and you can expect Google to pour more Google juice into this thing. My prediction: this will turn out to be a RSS newsreader, too.

So the next question is this: is Google gunning for Microsoft? With recent press about merger talks, it has become clear that Microsoft is planning on bringing search interfaces into Longhorn in a central way. Now a Google search is just Ctrl-Alt-G away.

Share this story

Ken Fisher
Ken is the founder & Editor-in-Chief of Ars Technica. A veteran of the IT industry and a scholar of antiquity, Ken studies the emergence of intellectual property regimes and their effects on culture and innovation. Emailken@arstechnica.com//Twitter@kenfisher